Also try some local kitchen/bathroom cabinet shops. Bib box stores don't build any of that stuff, just sub it out for build and install. In bigger towns to local cabinet manufacurer. Whenever possible, go to the source.

I've had both laminate and gelcoat. My PDQ has gelcoat over a cored panel, which seems smart. Both did fine in the long run. Heck, they last through decades of daily home use, generally going out of style before wearing out.

Yep. Formica does seem to be one of the best, if not the best, brands of laminate. However, as far as I can tell, the difference in quality among the best brands is pretty minimal.

Ooooh, I disagree with that second statement. We had some kitchen work done and failed to specify "Formica" brand and the crap we got was a real PITA. Stained if you look cross eyed at it and scratched very easily. Even doing cross word puzzles in the newspaper left stains.
One of the best kept secrets is butcher block. Doesn't weigh much more than 1.5 inches of ply plus formica, is easily sealed with tung oil, which can be renewed and is easily restored with light sanding and re-oiling.

Yep. Formica does seem to be one of the best, if not the best, brands of laminate. However, as far as I can tell, the difference in quality among the best brands is pretty minimal. Go to you local Home-Depot/Lowes/whatever and take a look. They usually a basic selection in stock, and you can always order whatever color you want. I would stick to a solid color, rather than a pattern, as patterns almost always look tot busy in a small space (like a boat galley).

I bought enough type 316 stainless to cover my galley counters for $13 , from a scrapyard. If you find restaurant stainless in a scrapyard, sometimes you can find it with a galley sink molded right in . You can put anything hot directly on it, with no worries. Best counter top available . Restaurants have figured that out long ago.

I bought enough type 316 stainless to cover my galley counters for $13 , from a scrapyard. If you find restaurant stainless in a scrapyard, sometimes you can find it with a galley sink molded right in . You can put anything hot directly on it, with no worries. Best counter top available . Restaurants have figured that out long ago.

Any pics? It sounds awfully industrial, but I work in a machine shop so there is more stainless laying about then you can shake a stick at, so it would be dang easy to just slap on top of the existing laminate(yellow yuck).

formica gets dings and gouges easily--was used extensively in the 50s-70s in tract housing. is a pita, as it isnt durable and not beautiful for quality work. is a poor tribute to the builders who used the cheapo materials to save dough and offer boats at mid income pricing.
i will mebbe go to corian or granite, as that extra weight is not a problem with my heavy displacement cruiser. maybe be impractical on a racing boat, but this aint that....

I have some pink Corina from remodeling the kitchen. If you want a hunk, pm me and
we will work something out. I think the problem with any of the thick counter top materials, Corian, granite, soapstone, ect is the additional work around the sink, faucet, icebox and stove as well as the fids. The stainless steel approach is practical as well as functional but a bit cold aesthetically IMHO.

I would not say that laminate scratches or dings easily, but certainly more easily than stone or corian. Best to use light colors that won't show minor abrasion. The real problem is, if you do scratch it, you have to live with it.

They do make some laminate patterns that don't look as 60s as they used to.

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